Flu jab shortage hits a third of GP practices
A third of GP surgeries have run out or are running low on supplies of the flu vaccine, as the country remains on course to declare an official epidemic within a week. One survey found that more than 400 practices were struggling to replenish stocks and were borrowing from other surgeries, while another found pharmacies across the country were having difficulty coping with demand. Patients in at-risk groups are still being advised to have the vaccination.
A THIRD of GP practices have either run out or are running low on flu vaccines, a survey has found.
The shortages come amid the worst flu season in seven years, with levels set to hit epidemic proportions within a week, if current trends continue.
The Pulse magazine survey of more than 400 GPS found that they were struggling to replenish stocks and were having to borrow from other practices.
A recent investigation by The Daily Telegraph found that pharmacies across the country were running out of flu vaccines amid increasing demand as the number of cases climbed.
Senior doctors have accused health officials adding to the crisis by recommending a vaccine that protects against three flu strains but excludes B-yamagata, known as “Japanese flu”, which is now dominant among hospital cases.
There are also concerns that the jabs have failed to protect the elderly in recent years, with zero effectiveness shown among the over-65s last year.
Health officials recently called for a “serious debate” about making vaccination mandatory for NHS staff, after official figures showed as few as one in three frontline workers were having the jabs at some hospitals.
Flu vaccination is recommended for all pensioners, children aged under 10, pregnant women, adults with health issues and health and care workers.
In the poll of 444 GPS, 16 per cent praised the Government’s handling of the flu season, while 36 per cent said it was poor.
Figures released last week showed an average of 53.1 GP consultations for flu per 100,000 population during the second week of January – a rise equal to 150 per cent in a fortnight.
The Pulse poll shows that 11 per cent of practices have run out of vaccines, with a further 19 per cent running low.
One GP told Pulse their practice used 100 more doses than last year and was having to borrow stocks from other practices. Another said their practice had only 5 per cent of stocks left and had sold 30 jabs to another surgery.
Prof Helen Stokes-lampard, the chairman of the Royal College of GPS, said: “We’re coming to the end of the flu vaccination season, but for the next week or so we would encourage patients in at-risk groups, who haven’t yet had their flu jab, to get one.
“It has certainly been a tough flu season so far – the last figures from the college’s research and surveillance centre showed that more than 30,000 patients presented with influenza-like symptoms in general practice in a week.”
A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “GPS and pharmacists should contact manufacturers to get more vaccine if required.
“The department closely monitors vaccination supply and has no concerns. This year, our flu vaccination programme is the most comprehensive it has ever been. It is available in more places and to more people than ever before,” he added.